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Jawbreaker

Etc. (2002)
Blackball Records

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Contributed by: Aubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 3rd 2002

"You don't know, what I'm all about,
like killing cops and reading Kerouac"

I. Introduction

The question is not if you should buy Etc., but why you haven't already. I'll skip the discussion of how Jawbreaker managed to evolve throughout it's career, or how they managed to make each idea they tried sound fresh, even if it was building on at least two decades of music.

Etc. is such a great record, because unlike most collections of unreleased material, assembled posthumously, it's easy to recommend to people who have never heard the band before.

From the opener, "Shield Your Eyes" to the re-recorded "Boxcar" which closes the record, this 70 minute record manages to catch the evolution of a truly inspiring band; from Gilman Street punks, to post-punk pioneers; from the raw, raspy material from Unfun to the heartache and poetry of Dear You.

"Coloring Outside Your Guidelines"

II. So What's the Big Deal?

Jawbreaker was melodic, raw, catchy, and fierce, while remaining lyrically obtuse, and musically dense. Most people, upon hearing Unfun or Bivouac couldn't get past the noise, and hear the delicate sound underneath. Ironically, on Dear You, most people couldn't heard past Blake's post-throat surgery, post-rasp vocals and hear the noise. Either way - and I've heard this a lot - they were too loud, or too soft. But see, that's what is so riveting about their stuff. It was always too something; nothing was ever half-assed.

"It'll be a happy song, not unlike some other ones"

III. Ok, How Does It Sound?

As I said, the record covers a long career, from early independent demos, to major label production,, so frankly, it varies. If I could find a failing with the sound, it's that the music is jarring in the tonal shifts. The only fault I found with this record, was that it lacked the coherency of records like 24 Hour Revenge Therapy which seemed to flow from track to track. Though, that's to be expected from a B-Sides collection, so it's hardly a real disappointment. If anything, it reminded me to dig out all my old Jawbreaker records and have a marathon.

"1-2-3-4 Who's Punk, What's the Score?"

IV. Jawbreaker isn't punk.

Whatever dude.

"Some words keep speaking when you close the book."

V. Conclusion

A collection of unreleased tracks, that serves both as a gift to fans, and a worth introduction to newcomers.

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AnEpicProblem (April 5, 2010)

Mandatory 5 stars for a Jawbreaker release.

Godfather (September 27, 2005)

This makes me a sad panda...why did these guys have to break up????

Anonymous (August 8, 2002)

The best album released this year (that is, until the new Jets comes out)...

if you don't own this, you shouldn't be on this webpage...

sorry, this band is what punk is and should be about...

Friendly Fire, Sister and Kiss the bottle are some amazing songs...

I was even surprised to like the rerecording of Boxcar....

Jimi

waste_elite (August 8, 2002)

FINALLY! my local record store got this in. it's really fucking great. not a bad song on the whole thing. i do prefer the original boxcar though.

Anonymous (August 7, 2002)

I think the rerecording of "Boxcar" is pretty bomb. The REM song is funny. I remember when "Surprise Your Pig" first came out. hah.

-sickboi

Anonymous (August 6, 2002)

I just got my first Jawbreaker cd, which was my first Jawbreaker experience and I am definitley pleased. 24 Hour Revenge Therapy is a good ass cd. I havent inspected all the song names yet but song number 1 is fucking amazing. Some songs are a little too slow but the faster ones make up for it. I think I will buy this cd and the other one everyone keeps talking about thats hard to find because from what I hear I like them a lot.-pat41

Aubin (August 6, 2002)

A couple of notes for people below:

The best place to order this is midheaven.com.
I placed my order on a Monday, and got it by Friday, which is especially good because I'm in Canada.
In case anyone is wondering about the origin of the quotes, they're from my favourite Jawbreaker record thus far, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy - except for the last one, which is from Bivouac if I recall correctly
HMV.ca is the best place to get Dear You; it's only $12.50 US so it's a good deal and it's the only place I've found with it. I think Dear You is brilliant as well, and definitely worth checking out.

Anonymous (August 6, 2002)

blackball IS rereleasing dear you, but if you dont want to wait, go to www.hmv.com and you can order it there. its a canadian online store and the record is still in print up there. "friendly fire" is definitely my new favorite song.

Anonymous (August 5, 2002)

I haven't heard the album, but the reviewer (who quoted bickley) seemed to like it, so I guess it must be pretty good.

waste_elite (August 4, 2002)

i can't find this album anywhere.

Anonymous (August 4, 2002)

blackballs going to re-release Dear you with bonus track(s) eventually, so you can always wait (forever).

Worth the money alone for the 3 F's, "Friendly Fire" (fucking great), "First step", and "Friends back East".

Wyzo

Anonymous (August 4, 2002)

buy Dear You from Half.com, its cheaper. Fuck Ameoba, those bastards are charging 35 bucks for it.

sickboi (August 4, 2002)

Someone please tell me, is "Dear You" worth trying to win on ebay?

Anonymous (August 4, 2002)

record of the summer. forget everything else and go buy this record right now. then buy it again to make up for the copy of dear you that you don't have.

sloppyblake (August 4, 2002)

jets to brazil is the reason i don't want there to ever be a jawbreaker reunion. all the new stuff would sound like shitty jtb.

Anonymous (August 4, 2002)

you picked some dumb quotes. it was nice...but the quotes we're still dumb. well i guess just the ones i think we're dumb. i only like half of blake. he's still sexy in the nerdy way.
-some guy

Aubin (August 3, 2002)

I know what you mean Scott; "Friendly Fire" is fast becoming one of my favourite Jawbreaker songs already.

maverick (August 3, 2002)

This CD has "Sister," "Kiss The Bottle," and "Sea Foam Green" on it. If that wasn't enough, it has a song called "Friendly Fire" from the Dear You sessions which sounds absolutely amazing. While the earlier songs are pretty rough [as is the pointless U2 cover], the real gems of this band's career are all present. GO BUY THIS.

-Scott